diatom

American

[dahy-uh-tuhm, -tom] / ˈdaɪ ə təm, -ˌtɒm /

noun

any of numerous microscopic, unicellular, marine or freshwater algae of the phylum Chrysophyta, having cell walls containing silica.

diatom British

/ -ˌtɒm, ˈdaɪətəm /

noun

any microscopic unicellular alga of the phylum Bacillariophyta , occurring in marine or fresh water singly or in colonies, each cell having a cell wall made of two halves and impregnated with silica See also diatomite

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diatom Scientific

/ dī′ə-tŏm′ /

Any of various one-celled aquatic organisms of the class Bacillariophyceae that have hard bivalve shells (called frustules) composed mostly of silica, can perform photosynthesis, and often live in colonies. They make up a large portion of the marine plankton and are an important food source for many aquatic animals. The skeletal remains of diatoms are the main constituent of diatomite.

Etymology

Origin of diatom

1835–45; < New Latin Diatoma originally a genus name, feminine noun based on Greek diátomos cut in two. See dia-, -tome

Vocabulary lists containing diatom

Microbiology - High School

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Marine Biology - Middle School

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Marine Biology - High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

diatom

Having finally worked out the identity of the missing nitrogen fixer, they focused their attention on working out how the bacteria and diatom live in partnership.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2024

Maussan says that the pair of mummified aliens were discovered in a diatom mine in Cusco, Peru.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2023

Skoon cat litter $28 Absorbent cat litter made of diatom pebbles.

From The Verge ● Mar. 26, 2022

Although the Seldovians have already found the diatom in their waters, they have not detected any large blooms with it—yet.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 24, 2022

“The little things,” he continued, delicately perforating the atmosphere as though selecting a diatom.

From Iole by Becker, Arthur C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023